Disclaimer: I do not own the O.C., but a girl can dream, right?

Note: Okay, so yeah, I realize that Caitlin Cooper is probably supposed to be liker 12 or something, but for the purposes of this story, she's a year younger then Marissa. Meaning as they just completed their Junior year, and are 17, she's just completed Sophomore year and is 16. Got it? Good. Okay, well I really really hope you all enjoy this, I plan on putting as much heart into it as possible. And don't forget to review.


As I look back on my life, I can't help but realize that the crazy set of characters that filled my youth, have made me the person I am today. Without them, I probably wouldn't be as neurotic, but I don't think I'd be as happy either. Growing up, I was one of the rich kids who had everything handed to her on a silver platter, but then again, in Newport Beach, who wasn't one of those kids? But I didn't truly grow up until I'd spent a year in New York, finding myself and trying to figure out the person I wanted to be. By my 15th birthday, I was a changed woman, with independence and actual ideals. I mean, I'm not saying I was raised horribly…I just wasn't raised as well as some. That's what you get when your mother is Julie Cooper. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother more then words, but the woman isn't going to win a mother of the year award anytime soon. She tries, and never quits trying, and deep down her intentions are good, so I will give her that much credit. All she ever wanted for my sister and me was the "good life", something she never had as a child, and in the end, she succeeded. As for my father, I don't know if my sister and I would ever have survived without him. He's been a driving force in my life since day one, even if his own morals and actions haven't always measured up. And Marissa? Well, she's always had a troubled path ahead of her, and I don't blame her for some of the choices she's made. Of course there were times when I hated her, didn't understand her, and wanted nothing to do with her, but when it boils down to it, we would kill for each other. And no…I'm not trying to be ironic. I guess when the day is done, and you look at your family and friends, as nutty as they can be, you just have to love them and cherish them for who they are. So with that final thought, I invite you to take a raw look at the complicated life of Caitlin Cooper, the one and only.


Having just arrived, bags still in hand and the whole bit, I watched from the elaborate foyer of my mother's dead ex-husbands home, as she rushed frantically out the door. Her hair as fiery as I remembered, and her eyes burning with uncertainty, she left me with just a few fleeting seconds of explanation. I was able to process the fact that she was going to pick up my sister, who was in police custody for one reason or another. Now, I wasn't stupid, over the years I had figured out that my sister was a little more then messed up. She always talked about being the "normal one", but in the end, we were all royally fucked up in the head. But wasn't everyone in Newport Beach a little fucked up? But as I watched my mother leave, a frightening lull passed over the house, as I stood alone, the handle of my Luis Vuitton suitcase still firmly tucked in my fist. It's funny how you leave your home for a year, and when you finally return, you still end up alone. I guess I wasn't expecting balloons or a big welcome home banner or anything, but in my own selfish way, I was hurt. It seemed like every time there was a chance at normalcy, Marissa had to go and ruin things. And for that, I hated her. Being in New York for a year only made these feelings increase in complexity, since I was finally able to understand how ridiculously good we all had it. My sister had every thing, beauty, money, personality, friends, intelligence…I didn't understand how she could ever act like all of that wasn't enough. But Marissa Cooper…she was never satisfied.

Running a hand through my strawberry blonde hair, I tried to get a hold on the situation. I was back in Newport, which I knew was inevitable, and nothing had changed. Well, sure, my stepfather was dead, and somewhere in the fray I had noticed my mother wearing her wedding ring (the one from my father), but other then that, the same chain of events was happening all over again. Moving into the lavishly decorated home, I plopped down on the couch, confused and exhausted.

"Really, Caitlin, what were you expecting?" I sighed to myself, listening as my voice echoed through the empty home.

A/N: So here's yet another try at a successful piece of writing. So far I've had trouble sticking with my projects, and I don't really have a solid storyline for this, but I'll try to do my best and keep updating. Reviews would be great, and I'd love the help. Thanks!

P.S. I get a lot of inspiration from music, and I owe the title of this story to the amazingly gorgeous song "Hear You Me" by Jimmy Eat World. Listen to it guys, it's awesome.